The Super Eagles of Nigeria have officially qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco with two games to spare, following Libya’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali on Thursday.
An 84th-minute strike by Saad Mohamed sealed the win for the Mediterranean Knights, reviving their own qualification hopes while simultaneously guaranteeing Nigeria a spot at the tournament. The result allowed Nigeria to qualify before their scheduled match against Benin Republic at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The qualification marks Nigeria’s 21st appearance at the prestigious tournament since their debut in 1963. The Super Eagles, three-time African champions, have a storied AFCON history, winning titles in 1980 (on home soil), 1994 (in Tunisia), and 2013 (in South Africa). They have also endured five final defeats, including their runner-up finish at the 2023 edition earlier this year in Ivory Coast, where they lost 2-1 to the hosts under Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro.
Currently leading Group D, Nigeria now only needs to focus on securing the top spot. The Super Eagles will face Rwanda in their final group game at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Monday. Meanwhile, Rwanda, with five points, and bottom-placed Libya, with four points, still hold slim hopes of clinching the second qualification spot in the group.
The 2025 AFCON tournament is set to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, and will be hosted in Morocco, promising another chapter in Nigeria’s illustrious football legacy.
